Muckle LLP helps complete training centre for autistic children

A PROJECT to create a £9m training centre for autistic children and their families in the North East has been completed with the help of commercial law firm Muckle LLP.

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Alan Ross, Adrian Hicks and John Phillipson

A PROJECT to create a £9m training centre for autistic children and their families in the North East has been completed with the help of commercial law firm Muckle LLP.

It was appointed by the North East Autism Society to acquire and build on the former Aycliffe Young People’s Centre in Newton Aycliffe, which has become the new centre.

The purpose-built school with sports hall and swimming pool, which opened its doors a few weeks ago, was the first part of the centre to be competed.

The centre will provide educational services up to secondary level education and vocational courses.

There will also be intensive support for families in crisis, as well as after-school clubs, holiday schemes, and leisure and activity clubs.

The centre will also provide short breaks and residential accommodation.

Adrian Hicks, associate solicitor in Muckle’s real estate group, said: “This project began with the North East Autism Society asking us to acquire the site from Durham County Council.

“The timescales involved with this were such that the society started the construction phase of this project under licence in November 2011, before the land itself was acquired in March 2012.

“We have worked with the North East Autism Society for some time. It was a pleasure working with the team on this project which will make the charity’s vital services available to so many more families affected by autism.”

Chief executive of the North East Autism Society, John Phillipson, said: “Adrian and the team at Muckle LLP understood our objectives and made sure the acquisition went through as efficiently as possible.

“They liaised with the different parties involved and prepared the construction contracts so we could begin the ground work on site.”